🎉 "Mama Mia!" We're Doing Mamma Mia!

ABBA Hits, Greek Island Vibes & Community Theater Magic Hit the Bucyrus Little Theatre Stage!

Get ready to dance, laugh, and sing along as host Scott Leon Smith sits down with the multi-talented Rick Walker, the director, music director, and choreographer of Bucyrus Little Theatre's upcoming smash-hit production of Mamma Mia! This episode is packed with behind-the-scenes stories, cast excitement, and all the sunny, feel-good energy of the show everyone loves.

• ABBA-fueled fun meets small-town heart Discover how a dedicated local theater is bringing the ultimate jukebox musical to life in Bucyrus, Ohio.
• Real talk from the director who's doing it all Rick shares the whirlwind of juggling music, choreography, and direction while keeping the cast energized and the show on track.
• Meet the stars lighting up the stage From the young leads driving hours for rehearsals to beloved local favorites stepping into iconic roles.

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

• How Rick structured intense musical and choreography rehearsals (13 songs in just a few weeks!) and why ABBA's catchy, straightforward harmonies made it surprisingly doable compared to trickier shows.
• The full cast reveal: Kelly Tighe as Sophie, Christy Chandler as Donna, Dodie Conkel as Tanya, Patty Schwall as Rosie, Rick's own son Brant as Sky, and the rest of the talented ensemble making the magic happen.
• Set design secrets, periactoids, Greek island blues, and how they're transforming the BLT stage into a sun-drenched taverna complete with ivy and ocean views.
• Rick's favorite number (it's not "Dancing Queen" or "Waterloo"!), special promotions like free baklava with your program, and all the show dates and ticket info.

Whether you're an ABBA superfan, a community theater lover, or just need a big dose of joy, this episode will have you tapping your toes and rushing to grab tickets. Mamma Mia runs May 22–31 at the Bucyrus Little Theatre; it's a sunny celebration of love, family, friendship, and fantastic music that's guaranteed to bring the house down!

Don't miss out! Hit play now, feel the excitement build, and subscribe to No Small Parts so you never miss another inspiring story from the dedicated performers who keep live theater alive in our community. Your support keeps the stage lights burning!🎭✨

Tickets at bucyruslittletheatre.com They'll go fast!

Bucyrus Little Theatre is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Bucyrus, Ohio. The organization exists to educate, entertain, and enlighten audiences in Crawford County and beyond. To learn more about our thriving community theatre, visit www.BucyrusLittleTheatre.com.

​🎙️ Bringing Bucyrus History to Life: Prohibition Agents, Parachute Nurses & Cemetery Walks!

​Did you know Bucyrus was home to the first female federal prohibition agent? Or that local actors are stepping into the shoes of our town's earliest settlers?

​In this episode, Scott sits down with Roy, the new Curator of the Bucyrus Historical Society, and Barb Rigdon from the Bucyrus Little Theatre, to talk about how they are teaming up to make local history jump right off the page! From Roy's transition as a retired history teacher to his new role managing the historic Scroggs House, to Barb's fascinating deep-dives into portraying trailblazing women like Georgia Hopley and Mary Scroggs—this episode is packed with incredible local lore.

​Plus, get your calendars ready! We've got a packed summer schedule of community events you won't want to miss:

​📅 May 21st: Special guest Mark Corey brings Colonel William Crawford to life.

​🎬 June 26th: Movie Night! Featuring Parachute Nurses and the story of local aviation legend Loretta Schimmoller.

​🍦 July: Community Ice Cream Social at Shines Park.

​🪦 September: The Annual Cemetery Walk! This year features early settlers, the Norton and Hopley families, and a special tribute to the 15+ Revolutionary War veterans buried right here in our county.

​Want to get involved? The Historical Society at the Scroggs House is open to the public every Friday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. They are always looking for passionate volunteers, docents, and researchers. Tune in to find out how you can be a part of preserving our town's legacy!

In this special episode of No Small Parts, host Scott Leon Smith chats with Bucyrus Little Theatre (BLT) board members Patty Schwall (Vice President) and Cheri Laughbaum (Secretary). As Ohio weather flips between cold and warm, the trio dives into the excitement surrounding BLT's 75th anniversary celebration and the big reveal of its 2026-27 season.

The conversation highlights the free event on Sunday, April 12, from 2–5 p.m., featuring a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting, light refreshments, a cash bar (with beer and malted beverages), a video tribute to the theater's rich history (courtesy of historian and set wizard Tom Etsinger), a lively director panel with Q&A (MC'd by Scott himself), and a special sneak-peek performance from the upcoming production of Mamma Mia!

Listeners get warm, behind-the-scenes stories about longtime volunteers like Tom Etsinger's legendary (and secretly fun-filled) set designs, including the infamous Sweeney Todd death drop and hidden Mad Magazine references, plus heartfelt tributes to theater legends such as Helen Neff, Bob and Judy Slater, the Cindys (Ross and Light), and many more who have poured decades of passion into the community stage.

The episode captures the spirit of community theater: dedication without pay, creative problem-solving, uplifting scripts, dark comedies, and the joy of keeping live stories alive in Bucyrus, Ohio, for three-quarters of a century. Perfect for anyone who loves local theater, nostalgic memories, or wants the inside scoop on what's coming next at BLT.

Tune in to feel the energy, and don't miss your chance to be part of history!

What happens when you mix quick thinking, big personalities, and a little competitive chaos? You get March Mayhem.

In this episode of No Small Parts, host Scott Smith sits down with Teen Improv Troupe coaches Lalaina and Kevin to talk about the upcoming improv tournament at Bucyrus Little Theatre. With 14 young improvisers ready to take the stage, this year's show introduces a bracket-style competition inspired by basketball's March Madness, complete with teams, judges, and eliminations as the night unfolds.

Lalaina and Kevin pull back the curtain on how the troupe trains, from fast-paced warm-ups like "Three-Line Scenes" to fan-favorite improv games including Party Quirks, Superheroes, Boris, and Oscar Winning Moment. They also explain the golden rule of improv, "Yes, and…," and why saying "no" can derail a scene.

Along the way, the coaches share how improv helps teens build confidence, creativity, and teamwork while learning to step outside their comfort zones. From imaginative pantomime to audience participation and unpredictable storytelling, every rehearsal is a chance for these young performers to grow, and get a lot of laughs along the way.

If you've ever wondered how improv works, why props aren't needed, or how a group of teenagers can turn complete chaos into comedy, this episode is your backstage pass.

🎭 March Mayhem featuring the Bucyrus Little Theatre Teen Improv Troupe takes place on March 27. Come see which team improvises its way to the championship!

Subscribe to No Small Parts for more conversations celebrating the people, passion, and productions that bring community theatre to life.

Join host Scott Leon Smith and the hilarious cast of Bucyrus Little Theatre's Rumors as they dish on Neil Simon's riotous American farce.

From frantic cover-ups of a deputy mayor's "accident" to car crashes, back spasms, burnt fingers, and wild excuses involving exploding shaving cream cans, this episode is packed with on-stage antics and off-stage camaraderie.

Meet the characters, lawyers, accountants, trophy wives, politicians, and a TV chef, who turn a 10th anniversary party into a whirlwind of lies, gossip, and slapstick. Hear about braving Ohio's brutal winter without heat, the magic of live theater chemistry, and why memorizing those lightning-fast lines feels like herding cats.

Whether you're a theater lover or just need a good laugh, this episode celebrates the heart (and hilarity) of community stages.

Don't miss Rumors February 26–March 1. Grab tickets at bucyruslittletheatre.com.

About Bucyrus Little Theatre

Bucyrus Little Theatre is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Bucyrus, Ohio. The organization exists to educate, entertain, and enlighten audiences in Crawford County and beyond. To learn more about our thriving community theatre, visit www.BucyrusLittleTheatre.com.

Theatre Historian Shares Memories Of The Stage In Time For 75th Anniversary

Join host Scott Leon Smith in the cozy lobby of Bucyrus Little Theatre as he sits down with longtime volunteer Tom Etsinger, house manager, master set builder, and keeper of BLT's rich history.

In this heartfelt episode, Tom takes us on a captivating journey from his trumpet-playing debut in the 1976 pit orchestra for Hello, Dolly! to designing elaborate sets with hammers, nails, and pure ingenuity. Hear behind-the-scenes stories of epic builds (like the historically accurate 1776 set that traveled across town), lightning-fast turnarounds between children's shows and adult musicals, and the quirky discovery that the theater floor slopes toward an old tractor-repair drain.

Then travel back in time to BLT's origins: the grand (but tragically fire-destroyed) opera house of the 1930s, the post-war rebirth sparked by a single Jaycees production, and the scrappy early days of storefront theaters, begged materials, vanilla fundraisers, and coffee breaks that paid the royalties.

As Bucyrus Little Theatre prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2026 (coinciding with America's 250th) Tom and Scott tease exciting plans ahead and give a sneak peek at the elaborate, door-slamming set rising right now for the season opener, Neil Simon's hilarious farce Rumors.

Whether you're a theater history buff, a community stage veteran, or just love stories of passion and perseverance, this episode reminds us why there truly are No Small Parts — on stage or off.

About BLT

Bucyrus Little Theatre is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Bucyrus, Ohio. The organization exists to educate, entertain, and enlighten audiences in Crawford County and beyond. To learn more about our thriving community theatre, visit www.BucyrusLittleTheatre.com.

🎄🤠 Y'all, grab your eggnog and buckle up for a Texas-sized Christmas catastrophe! In this hilarious episode of No Small Parts, host Scott Leon Smith sits down with director (and board president) Abbey Kanellakis and cast members Debbi Gifford, Julie Pollock, and first-time actor Shadow Pollock to talk about Bucyrus Little Theatre's upcoming riotous holiday comedy, Christmas Belles, sponsored by Firelands Federal Credit Union, Lulu's Kitchen, and The Ohio Flower Girls!

Expect behind-the-scenes chaos as we dive into the Futrelle sisters' attempt to save (or destroy?) the annual Christmas pageant in Fayro, Texas. You'll hear about flying angels (maybe?), a very pregnant Frankie, a recently jailed Twink, a socialite with Hollywood dreams, a pastor with in love, and the sweetest little red wagon handler you've ever met. Plus, the cast spills the tea on jealous directors, 27 years of "traditional" pageants gone wrong, and why community theatre is basically one big dysfunctional family reunion.

We also get the scoop on BLT's second annual Christmas Basket Silent Auction: bigger, better, and now a true silent auction with incredible donations from local businesses (think gift cards, season passes, themed baskets, and more!). Modern Woodmen of America is matching funds up to $1,500, so your bid goes even further for the theatre. And huge shoutout to Castle Auctions & Appraisals for managing the online Silent Auction.

Listen now to laugh until the reindeer come home and find out exactly how you can bid on those amazing baskets! Shows run ONE WEEKEND ONLY: December 12–14, 2025. Tickets at BucyrusLittleTheatre.com.

Host Scott Leon Smith sits down with Bucyrus Little Theatre Board President Abbey Kanellakis to unpack the theater's upgraded fundraiser, now a full online silent auction powered by Castle Auctions and Appraisals. Running December 8–16 (with live promotion during Christmas Belles performances December 12–14), the event features themed baskets, local business donations, gift certificates, swag, and one-of-a-kind items, all matched dollar-for-dollar up to $1,500 by Modern Woodmen of America.

Learn how to donate (items, baskets, or cash—deadline November 24), get pickup coordinated via Allie Mueller (419-310-9616) or the theater (419-562-0731), and why every bid helps fund critical upgrades: digital signage, sound systems, lighting instruments, and monitors to amplify voices and storytelling in BLT's intimate space.

It's community giving that doubles your impact, fuels holiday shopping, and keeps live theater thriving in Crawford County. QR codes, programs, and MonsterVox social blasts make bidding easy. Join the fun and support the arts!

Plus: Details on the 50/50 Scholarship Raffle and a sneak peek at the Southern-fried hilarity of Christmas Belles, directed by Abbey herself.

No Small Parts is a Bucyrus Little Theatre podcast, hosted by Scott Leon Smith of MonsterVox Productions. To learn more about this podcast or the Bucyrus Little Theatre, visit www.BucyrusLittleTheatre.com.